SUMMER FESTIVAL: TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS

[tranquilforest]

It’s something like summer here at the Temple of Beginnings, or close enough to it. The weather’s been rainy and hazy for the past little while, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find some way to enjoy ourselves, right?

The day dawns cloudy and drizzly, but people seem determined to carry on anyway. The space slowly takes recognizable shape as a festival, even if a small one. There are tents set up outside, some of which are transformed into game opportunities, complete with prizes (some of an...interesting nature), surprisingly sophisticated target shooting games, ring toss, and other activities of skill and chance. A few more become stations for the food and drink that had been prepared, and the rest consist of chairs under canopies for people to sit and talk in case the rain continues.

Luckily, as the day goes on, the rain stops and the clouds move on, until the blue of the sky is visible once again. By early afternoon, there are only a few scattered clouds still remaining, and it seems likely that the weather will hold true for the evening. Strings of paper lanterns and other decorations are brought out and hung between the different stalls, around the makeshift stage, and placed at the tables. Some pots of bamboo are brought out and set in two clusters at either end of the line of tents. Each cluster has a corresponding table with strips of colorful paper and pens laid out carefully on a table and weighted down with rocks to prevent them from flying off.

A handful of figures come out and inspect the set-up, focusing especially on a shallow ditch that had been dug earlier, now drained and lined with weighted down tarp and rocks, running parallel to the tents and curving to end abruptly just beyond the fire pit and the stage at both ends. After some discussion between them, there is a flash of flame, as though something were burning, and then the strangest thing happens. The ditch fills with fresh, clear water. Even after a few hours, the water doesn't drain away or grow stagnant, still flowing somehow despite having nowhere to come from or go to.

The sunset that day is a brilliant, auspicious red, and evening sets in with a cooling breeze refreshing everyone outside. As the first stars appear, the lanterns are set alight, the music starts, and the first performer steps out onto the stage, surrounded by floating light.



SUMMER FESTIVAL
Welcome to the summer(ish) festival for Astoria’s Circle! We hope you have a wonderful time.

Layout
Even from the buildings that are actually being lived in, the lights of the festival are visible. If you strain your ears just a bit, you may even hear some music being played in the distance, muffled by the stone walls. Why don’t you come join in?

Once arriving at the festival itself, you may be struck first by how bright it is. Light seems to be a theme, from the bonfire set up in one of the firepits closest to the rest of the complex, the lanterns strung up between the tents and stalls that are set up in a line leading from the other buildings towards the gated sparring area that you may already have availed yourself of. Just in front of that area is a makeshift stage, little more than a raised platform of wood and stone, also lit up well by additional lanterns.

Opposite the tents is the river.

It might not seem that exciting at first. It’s hardly a river, really, just a shallow trench of water about seven feet wide and one foot deep, lined with rocks along the bank closest to the tents, stretching in a not quite parallel path opposite the stalls and tents that have been set up, beginning at the stage and ending near the bonfire. The water is crystal clear and clean, and murmurs as if it is flowing from some unseen source, but it’s not clear where it is coming from at all. As the night goes on, and more people take the opportunity to make floating paper lanterns at the station located close by, the little stream itself lights up, the water reflecting the lights, and just beyond, the stars in the sky.

EVENTS:

Sign-in
While definitely not mandatory, in the direct path from the living quarters to the festival itself, there’s a table set up with sheets of paper and writing utensils where you can sign-in. Let us know (ICly!) who you are. Maybe add a fun fact about yourself. Or draw doodles all over the pages. Whatever floats your boat.

Wishes
As is traditional in the home countries of some members of the Circle, there are some bamboo trees in pots set up on either side of the little river, and tables close by with colored strips on loops of string and pens. Write down a wish, or anything you’d like, really, and hang it from the bamboo. Or, browse the bamboo yourself and see if you find anything interesting. Later on after midnight, they’ll be burned for luck!

Games
You’ll find the usual games in the various stalls, some with a decidedly cobbled together look, using what materials were available at the temple, and some with a little more sophistication, thanks to the particular gifts of those within the Circle. Try your hand at shooting a target, a game of chance, or take over a stall yourself and introduce your fellow Circle members to something you used to play at home. There may or may not be prizes involved, depending on which stall you find yourself at.

Food
You’ll find your usual fair fare, though with a decidedly cosmopolitan flair. The foods themselves are somewhat limited by what was easily obtainable within the Temple itself (or improvised), and some Circle members may have contributed decidedly experimental dishes. It really is a potluck, so take a look and see what interests you! Strike up a conversation with your fellow diners as you pick up your food and then find a table to sit at, but keep in mind that most of these are home made by others here, so the cook may be close by, listening…

Performance
What’s a festival without any entertainment? In addition to the music being played on speakers in the background by our very capable DJ, there is also a stage where you can show off your gifts. In addition to singing or other traditional performances, this is an opportunity to demonstrate any interesting abilities or gifts you might have, including new ones you may have gained upon arriving at the Temple! There is an additional sign-up sheet near the stage, so write your name down and what you plan to perform, and we look forward to seeing what you can do.

Bonfire
It’s a really big fire. Enough said (hopefully). Sit and relax, or chat with those around you. If you’re lucky, there may even be some additional entertainment. At a little after midnight, the bamboo bearing the wishes will be burned here and the festival closed for the night.

Lanterns
If you’d like to give it a try, there’s a small station set up where you can make your own lantern out of paper! You can choose from one that floats in the air or on the water (or both, no one’s policing this). Make your own design, and let it fly aloft or float on the water with the other lanterns, chat with others who are working, or just settle down by the water and watch the lanterns and the stars.


**If your character (even if you were just accepted!) would like to participate in the set-up for the impromptu festival at any point, or just wander around and ask what’s going on, please feel free! All the set-up would have been occurring in the space between the TDM and this post. If your character would like to handwave having helped set up, this post is also an option!

(( Set Up: Outdoors ✧ Set Up: Indoors ✧ Sign-In ✧ Bamboo Wishes ✧ Games ✧ Food ✧ Tables ✧ Performances ✧ Bonfire ✧ Lanterns ✧ Clean-Up ✧ or your own!))

Comments

[lumberlady]

[Staying useful. Keeping busy. It's what kept Konoha steady, in this sea of confusion and strangeness. There were so many people, so many strangers, so little familiar...

But she has a trench she can dig, and trees she can haul, and cooking she can do, so at the very least she can try and smile-]

Here, try this!

[Her equine half doesn't quite allow her to join the table properly, too tall standing up and too short laid down, but despite that Konoha reaches with hands protected with rags to move a hot pot slightly closer to the new arrival. It's steaming fresh, a seemingly simple mix of meat, mushrooms, tubers, and vegetables, but. It smells good at least? For centaur food?]

It's my mother's recipe, but I think I managed it alright...

[foundafamily]

[Free food! Firo doesn't need to be told twice. He'll lean in a little closer to scope out what's in the pot and then look around the table for an unused spoon to scoop some out.]

What is it?

[lumberlady]

[There were a lot of people here. A lot of people in all sorts of colors and shapes and sizes and dress she's never seen before. But... everyone eats, right? So-]

It's soup. Full of meat and tubers and mushrooms and all sorts of warmness.

[Added, in case he cares for such things,]

It's good for you!

[foundafamily]

[He spoons a bit out into another bowl and digs in.]

Hey, this is pretty good! Why don't you--

[--take a seat? Oh. So when he actually looks, what his brain had previously glossed over as "I guess she's sitting on a horse" is, apparently, not the case.

He's not sure if this is more or less weird than the 10-foot tall robot. But he has no real choice but to take it in stride--anyway, it's probably rude to stare too much at a lady.]

Uh, so are you all right like that?

[Doesn't seem right that she can't join everybody at the table.]

[eccitato]

Ooooh, hot pot!

[ The exclamation is chirped happily, as Leo peers into the dish when it's pushed forward. It should register, really, that it's being pushed closer by someone who towers over him because of her very different anatomy, but... it doesn't? After being with Qri's coven, and now with, apparently, Astoria's circle, he doesn't really bat an eye right away.

That might also be because he's so interested in the food.

But he does nab a spoon to dish some of it out, humming a cheerful little tune as he does. ] It looks good, just as good as it smells, so surely you made it so that she'd be proud!

[lumberlady]

[And this one seems to actually know what it was? Which was nice. Konoha, used to living with both humans and jinba, doesn't notice that he... doesn't notice their indeed vast height and species differences. Instead, she claps her hands together, smiling as she leans closer to adjust the pot and subtly(?!) encourage him to take even more.]

It's really good for you, too! I'm sure we can get some meat on those bones in no time.

[... does she think he's too skinny???]

[eccitato]

Mmm, normally I don't like vegetables unless Sena's made them, but I'll try this! Definitely, so mama'll be proud!

[ ... honestly, she's probably. Totally valid in trying to get him to eat more.

Luckily, as oblivious as he seems to be about her being jinba, the subtlety manages to succeed. Leo goes right ahead and takes some more of the hot pot, enough to probably qualify for a round of seconds if he finished the first helping that he dished out.

There's another chirp of thanks for the meal! before he puts a spoonful into his mouth. ♪ ]

[murderp]

Thank you, miss! I'd be delighted to try it.

[ And he'll be doling out a good amount into his bowl to try out. Give him ten seconds, and then-- ]

It's delicious! Was this your first time making it?

[lumberlady]

[Konoha is more than glad to give him that moment, eager for a (hopefully positive) response. Since her arrival, she's been trying to focus on tasks. Find shelter. Find Mikuni. Find work to do. Find a purpose.

And her current purpose, now that all the construction was done, was to feed people.]

That's a relief! I make it all the time when it's the right season, but-

[Despite herself there's a small hiccup, which she tries to hide with a wider smile.]

It's my first time making it alone, so. I was a bit worried.

[murderp]

You shouldn't be!

[ With a very earnest nod, as though her being worried is the worst possible thing and needs to be avoided at all costs. ]

There's a very comforting warmth to this dish.

[complementing]

[Minako is very startled by the sight of Konoha at first, but she's too polite to ask questions when she's being offered food. Especially food that looks and smells amazingly, achingly familiar. She grins up at Konoha and claps her hands together.]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much! Do you have rice to go with it?

[Introducing: Minako the glutton.]

[lumberlady]

[Minako the Glutton, meet Konoha the Ravenous.]

Oh! I saw some earlier, I'll go get it!

[Setting the hot pot closer to Minako so that she can serve herself in the meantime, Konoha trots away, hooves making soft, wet noises in the damp earth now that the rain has stopped, perusing the tables until- ah-hah!

Soon enough she comes trotting back, a commandeered pot of rice held in her hands.]

Here we go!

[complementing]

[Oh no, that would be impolite to start eating before her hostess returns, so she sits waiting patiently with her hands folded in her lap until Konoha comes back.

But once she sees the rice, she raises her chopsticks poised over the hot pot, eyes gleaming.]

Itadakimasu!

[And immediately tucks in.]

[gamboler]

[ It may not be fish, but Blake is a fan of simple foods, so she takes the hotpot without question. Moreso because she's approached Konoha to speak to her for another reason than acquiring a meal. Her equine half hasn't gone unnoticed by Blake, and while she's never seen a Faunus with animal characteristics so prominent, that doesn't mean they couldn't exist. She has to at least ask, desperate for some sense of kinship in this strange, foreign world. ]

It smells great. [ But then, direct to the point: ] You're...not a Faunus, are you?

[ She shouldn't get her hopes up. But if nothing else...she may be something similar to one. ]

[lumberlady]

[Konoha opens her mouth at first to maybe thank the woman, or maybe give the credit to her mother for the recipe... but then shuts it instead. Faunus... It's another word she doesn't know. After talking with a few people she's realized most people don't know the word she's always used for her race, but. This must be another person from a village so different from hers.]

Ah, no... I'm a jinba, sorry.

[Sorry? She guesses? Maybe it's weird to say, actually-]

A lot of people call me a centaur? Is that... better?

[gamboler]

A centaur...

[ She's heard of them before, though centaurs are only creatures in stories on Remnant, as far as she knows. Maybe some sort of early ancestor of the modern-day Faunus—but that's neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that this woman is not a Faunus, but...

There's still something of a kinship there anyway, and her mouth curves into a soft smile. ]

Jinba, then. [ She'll remember it. ] People have been asking you a lot of questions, huh?

[ Sounds familiar... ]

[purrtagonist]

[oh my gosh. hot pot]

[Akira is immediately invested, and Konoha will soon have a scruffy looking teenager hovering by her table, waiting for the proper moment to serve himself]

Do you finish off your hotpots with porridge or udon?

[lumberlady]

Oh- Help yourself!

[Once she notices him hanging about, Konoha obligingly makes room, swinging her... admittedly large rear around in a shuffle of hooves to make space for him to get closer, holding out a free bowl.]

Udon! ... but I don't think they have that here.

[purrtagonist]

[if Akira's bewildered or surprised to have finally, after seventeen years, met a centaur. . . he isn't showing it. probably because it's rude to point out such a thing? and because he's focused on HOT POT]

Probably not. Astoria-san's kitchen is a little. . . [eh] Limited?

[he's taking the bowl she offers and helping himself as he talks]

[ghostdrives]

[Aqua's never been to a festival quite like this one, so the noise and sights are definitely welcome. The smells in particular make her drift to the food tables, especially Konoha's.

She's hardly bothered by Konoha's more inhuman traits. Not even staring at her horse half! The only thing is that she looks a little uncomfortable having to reach like that.]

It smells wonderful. May I ask what's in it?

[lumberlady]

Of course!

[Used to a world where her kind and humans coexist, Konoha has yet to truly appreciate how strange other people might find her since so many here were so polite about it... and in turn, she hasn't yet learned to appreciate someone genuinely not phased.

But blue hair? She can't help but stare a bit, even as she replies helpfully.]

It's meat, leeks, mushrooms I found in the forest... some tubers... I couldn't find the right sauce for the broth but I think it should still be good-

[ghostdrives]

[If Aqua is bothered by the staring at all, she doesn't show it, politely smiling at Konoha. It helps to worldly experience and previous dealings with non-humans.]

It sounds very hearty and healthy. [Not to mention warm and homemade. When was the last time she's actually eaten something? She doesn't remember.]

I'd love to try some if I may.

[cadeuces]

( Perhaps Konoha had a better handle on those who were here than she may have originally thought— when she turns to a "new arrival", she happens to catch one of the newest arrivals, still trying to get her bearings in this place.

She's heard of festivals like this before. From Genji, mostly. Angela never thought she'd have the chance to see one in person. The sound of hooves isn't the first thing to catch her attention, but the voice to her left snags it just fine and her eyes are a bit wide when she turns to face the— very tall... girl? mid-sit. It gives her pause and she straightens once more.

Oh. That explains the hooves. It's something Angela observes in her peripheral so as not to be rude, but with the gesture of the hot pot moving closer to her, the doctor can't help but smile. )

If you don't mind— it smells delicious! It's nabe, right?

( Angela's reaching for one of the bowls set out to dish up a little, keeping some room for whatever else she may find. )

Have you been here long, miss...?

[lumberlady]

Oh, you know it? It's imoni.

[Easy to read, Konoha seems more than pleased to find someone who might know the food, eagerly scrambling to push the bowls closer to offer the other woman so that she could serve herself a portion.]

Or, it's my best attempt at it with what we have here... I couldn't find a decent sauce for the stock, but it should still be decent!

[She withdraws once it seems Angela had things covered, seemingly pleased, at least happy... but beneath the cloth she's using as both potholder and rag, she wrings her fingers together slightly, unable to truly forget where they are and how unbelievable it all is. ... even if the food made it better.]

Oh, just a week or two myself... You?

[cadeuces]

Just a little bit— I have a very dear friend from Japan who I learned much from. And I absolutely grilled him for details on his favorite foods so I could find the nearest international market to lift his spirits during his recovery.

( Whether Genji had been in the mood for it or not was always in the air, but all she could do at the time was try. His letters post-Overwatch were of a far friendlier nature that divulged further secrets to her she was glad to absorb.

The eagerness is sweet and the surprise that Angela has a passing knowledge of hotpot dishes is even sweeter, and who is she to act as though the other woman is strange? She doesn't seem to have any issues or disconnect with anyone standing on only two legs. Angela uses the ladle to scoop a little helping into her bowl before she's dipping her spoon in, blowing at the broth politely before taking a sip to taste.

Her expression lights up. It's nothing like she's used to, but isn't that what made it truly interesting to experience? )

It's very delicious; you've done wonderfully with this! Just as amazing as it smells. ( So don't mind her when she's scooping up one of the root vegetables to nibble at, leaving room for her to answer. ) And this is one of my first few days here. My name is Angela. I'm— ( She almost says "combat medic", but switches to a more generalized term without a hitch. ) —a doctor, where I've come from. This is quite the change from the desert. And an even more welcome one to switch to a homemade stew after military rations.

Would you mind sharing a meal with me and telling me a little about yourself?